Indonesians and Uzbeks advance

Other Sports

Fri, 09 Feb 2018

UZBEKISTAN, Singapore, Pacific Oceania and Indonesia secured number one spots yesterday in their respective pools in Group II of the 2018 Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone at Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) courts in Isa Town.

Uzbekistan defeated New Zealand 3-0 to take first place in Pool ‘A’, while Singapore edged the Philippine 2-1 to top Pool ‘B’.

Sabina Sharipova then claimed a hard-earned 7-5, 6-1 win against Erin Routliffe, before Akgul Amanmuradova and Yasmine Karimjanova teamed up to beat Emily Fanning and Katherine Westbury 7-5, 6-1 to complete their second win in Pool ‘A’.

In Pool ‘B’, Singapore claimed the two singles rubbers before the Philippines took a win in the doubles.

Stefanie Tan then made it two for Singapore with a 6-2, 6-2 result over Katharina Lehnert. The Filipinos then got their consolation as Marian Jade Capadocia teamed up with Khim Iglupas for a 6-1, 6-1 win against Singapore’s Lynelle En Tong Lim and Tammy Tan.

Meanwhile, Pacific Oceania completed their clean sweep of Pool ‘C’ with their third straight 3-0 decision, this time against Malaysia. In rubber one, Steffi Carruthers was made to sweat in a tough 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5) win over Theiviya Selvarajoo. Abigail Tere-Apisah then enjoyed a more comfortable 6-2, 6-0 victory against Suhana Sofia.

Carruthers and Tere-Apisah then went on to beat Sofia and Jawairiah Noordin 6-4, 6-2 in rubber three.

In Oman’s match-up with Iran, Shahrzad Banisaeid got the Iranians off to a bright start with a 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 win against Sarah Al Balushi.

But the Omanis quickly responded with Fatma Al Nabhani beating Kimiya Asbaghipour 6-0 6-1, after which Al Balushi and Al Nabhani powered together for a 6-2, 6-1 win against Sara Azaddoost and Banisaeid.